Comparison of the ultimate direction-findingcapabilitiesof a number of planar array geometries

Although the properties of direction-finding (DF) algorithms have heen investigated extensively, the fundamental effects of the array configuration on the performance of DF systems remain unknown. Furthermore, it is often overlooked that there are some theoretical lower limits on the DF performance which are imposed by the array geometry itself. In the paper eight diverse array geometries of elevated feed monopoles, which are used in a number of experimental sites in the UK, are investigated and compared using the ultimate detection, resolution and accuracy thresholds as figures of merit.